I love the Black Hills. I also love my bike. How better to show someone you love them than spending the entire day with them?
I spent Wednesday on my bike pedaling from Spearfish to Hot Springs. I started and ended on paved highway, but did 90-some miles on the gravel of the Mickelson Trail, from the Deadwood terminus to the Minnekahta Trailhead near the SD 89-US 18 junction between Pringle and Edgemont. I drank a lot of water and took a lot of pictures. The full album is on Facebook; here are a few of my favorite shots from a gloriously warm, sunny day in the Black Hills.
Sunrise on Old Highway 14, east of Spearfish
First sandstone ridge, heading south on US 85 to Deadwood
Deadwood, Terry Peak in distance at right
On Mickelson Trail: Whitewood Creek, Homestake Mine
Blue flowers on Whitetail Creek, southwest of Lead. Our wet spring has produced an unusual profusion of wildflowers throughout the Northern Hills.
Horses at Sugarloaf trailhead
Lead, from above Sugarloaf Trailhead
Mickelson Trail through forest in magic morning light
Meadow south of Englewood
Farm on North Fork Rapid Creek, north of Rochford
Approaching Rochford
Good timing: another guy with the same idea
Old cabin at Mystic
Rock wall along Deerfield Road
The Route 16 Diner in Hill City gets my attention, because they fed me…
…the “Unforgettable”: pot roast and melted Swiss on hoagie, with good crispy fries…
…and Strawberry rhubarb pie, a.k.a. rocket fuel!
The route 16 Diner is toward the south end of Main Street Hill City on a Chamber of Commerce day
When this guy camps, he brings his front porch… or is that a back porch?
It’s not really 100 degrees. It only feels that way going uphill toward Crazy Horse at high astronomical noon.
Meadow and low peak north of Custer
Mare and colt at Beebe ranch north of Pringle
Black Hills Lime Company Mine, south of Pringle, with horses standing guard
View north at the Lien Quarry rest area
South rim of the Black Hills hogback comes into sight
Just me and my shadow on Highway 18, heading east
One more climb? Nooooo!
Ah, the sag wagon. That’s the way to end a ride.
The Mickelson Trail is a state treasure. Go bike it. Go hike it. Do a little chunk here, a little chunk there, whatever you have the time and legs for. On almost any mile of the trail, you'll find reasons to be glad you're in South Dakota.
Thanks, Barry! The trail really didn't seem that busy. Past Custer (about 2 p.m.), I met just one other person on the trail, a guy just getting on at Pringle. I rode just standard mountain bike tires, a little knobby (specs: 26"x2.00 Specialized Fast Trak LK). Have you ridden the Mickelson?
Barry Smith
2013.06.28
No I haven't had a chance yet Cory- I am hoping to get out there this fall. It has been a great spring for cycling here east river though. I was thinking that you probably needed 26 inch tires for the trail. Is the gravel pretty loose? how does it compare to east river gravel roads?
Deb Geelsdottir
2013.06.28
Beautiful. That's why a love the Hills. Side roads, trails, scenery, wild life, tame life. Ahhhh. Gorgeous. Thanks Cory.
Width matters: you don't want skinny road tires. The gravel is mostly packed tightly, though not as hard and smooth as you'd get from a road with lots of car traffic.
Diameter is a different question: 29-inch wheels give better momentum and traction. I don't have any experience riding the 29-incher, but I get the impression the advantage is greater for off-road.
Yes, get out here in the fall! Come out and ride whatever sections you like on your own, or go hog-wild and sign up for the Trail Trek Sept. 20–22 (though their early registration deadline is tomorrow! $30 difference!).
Where is the "like" button? Thanks for the pics, Cory. A great sample of what makes a Hills vacation so desireable.
Great pics Cory what a great way to spend a day! Were there many folks on the trail ? And what tire did you use on that Mickleson gravel?
Thanks, Barry! The trail really didn't seem that busy. Past Custer (about 2 p.m.), I met just one other person on the trail, a guy just getting on at Pringle. I rode just standard mountain bike tires, a little knobby (specs: 26"x2.00 Specialized Fast Trak LK). Have you ridden the Mickelson?
No I haven't had a chance yet Cory- I am hoping to get out there this fall. It has been a great spring for cycling here east river though. I was thinking that you probably needed 26 inch tires for the trail. Is the gravel pretty loose? how does it compare to east river gravel roads?
Beautiful. That's why a love the Hills. Side roads, trails, scenery, wild life, tame life. Ahhhh. Gorgeous. Thanks Cory.
Width matters: you don't want skinny road tires. The gravel is mostly packed tightly, though not as hard and smooth as you'd get from a road with lots of car traffic.
Diameter is a different question: 29-inch wheels give better momentum and traction. I don't have any experience riding the 29-incher, but I get the impression the advantage is greater for off-road.
Yes, get out here in the fall! Come out and ride whatever sections you like on your own, or go hog-wild and sign up for the Trail Trek Sept. 20–22 (though their early registration deadline is tomorrow! $30 difference!).